Report: Majority of 520 U.S. auto racing deaths in last 25 years occurred on short tracks

ABOVE: Requiring use of systems like the HANS Device has made major league racing safer.

The recent death of driver Kevin Ward Jr. in an incident at a sprint car race involving NASCAR star Tony Stewart has focused major national media attention on the danger presented by short track racing. According to a report on Sunday by the Charlotte Observer, more than 520 deaths have occurred in U.S. auto racing in the past 25 years – and two of every three deaths over the past three years occurred at short tracks.

The Observer report states that of at least 523 racing deaths since 1990, 53 percent have been at short tracks, which account for the majority of all U.S. racing. The Observer noted that since there is official report of fatalities at racetracks, its list may not include all deaths.